As parliament heads closer to what could be its last session, lawmakers have suddenly grown a concern about not having enough doctors in the remote villages in their constituencies.
Expecting national polls in the near future, lawmakers have reportedly started paying frequent visits to their constituencies in an attempt to woo voters.
In the process, they have learned that the public healthcare centres at the upazila level, especially the union sub-centres, have been badly crippled by an acute shortage of doctors.
Doctors allegedly prefer staying in the cities and towns and deliberately remain absent from the designated workplaces in the remote villages.
However, it would be wrong to assume that the lawmakers did not know about the predicament before. It is just that they want to move with the issue in the upcoming session of parliament sensing what could be their last chance to show people that they are good public representatives.
Seeking anonymity, a high-ranked official of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said: “They [lawmakers] have suddenly aroused from five years’ deep sleep. Suddenly they have started caring about people’s dissent. Now they want doctors in their constituencies at any cost.”
Official figures show that more than 3,000 posts – out of the 6,818 sanctioned for medical officers for the seven divisions – are vacant.
The Dhaka Tribune ran a story on July 6 about how young entry level doctors, posted at various government healthcare facilities in the remote areas, try all kinds of lobbying with ministers and influential ruling party figures to get posted back to the cities.
In an August 29 meeting with Health Minister AFM Ruhul Hoque, divisional directors of the DGHS and civil surgeons have expressed concerns about the shortage of doctors, sources said.
The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that the health minister had given directives to the appropriate authorities to take measures for curbing the crisis.
Seeking anonymity, health ministry officials said the minister ordered for recruiting doctors in the remote areas before parliament session began on September 12; because otherwise he would not be able to answer the lawmakers’ queries in parliament.
The minister has also reportedly asked the DGHS divisional directors to make fresh lists of entry level doctors and reassign them to the remote areas. He also asked them to not entertain any application for transfer, attachment or training from any officer without the consent of appropriate authorities.
During the meeting, when the health minister asked the DGHS high officials why they granted attachment or study leave, the officials said: “We have to face huge pressure of recommendation from various quarters.”
The minister in reply reportedly said: “Are they more powerful than me? Next time you must not give into any pressure. Those who put pressure on you, tell them to talk to the health minister.”
DGHS Director Dr Md Shah Newaz told the Dhaka Tribune: “We are trying to give posting to doctors in the remote areas. We are collecting the lists of doctors and relocating them. As per the minister’s instructions, we are not entertaining any application without the consent of appropriate authorities.”